Chapter 23 #2
“I’m stubborn. Now, how about we go get me a room so I can take that shower?”
“You two wait here. I’ll run and grab the SUV.”
I watched as Gator set off across the yard. I felt the silliest urge to go after him, like being even this far away from him wasn’t safe. I guess getting kidnapped, even for a day, wreaked havoc on your nervous system.
“He’ll be right back,” Hawk said. “Trust me, he isn’t gonna let you out of his sight anytime soon.
” Then he looked Noah up and down. “You’ll need some clothes.
You and Mika are about the same size, and I’m sure he would be happy to let you borrow a few outfits.
I’ll call him and ask him to put them in your apartment. ”
He pulled out his phone and waited until Mika answered. Then he gave us both a nod and walked off, talking to Mika.
“Who’s Mika?” Noah asked.
“He’s Hawk’s partner. They live on the top floor where Gator and I live. Mika is the sweetest, and Hawk’s right, he’d be happy to loan you some clothes.”
A minute or so later, Gator pulled up in the SUV, and Noah and I hopped in. Gator reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together. “I called your sister and Migs and let them know you were okay. I told both of them you’d call them tomorrow. Migs said he would let everyone at the salon know.”
“Thank you. I know they were all worried, but I don’t think I have the energy to deal with all the questions tonight.”
He looked in the rearview mirror at Noah. “We have a phone waiting for you. Caden put together a list of contacts from when we were trying to find you, so you can use that to get in touch with anyone you need to call.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
Gator pulled out onto the road to go home, and we couldn’t get there soon enough. Noah didn’t say much else on the ride. He mostly just stared out the window and watched the world go by.
I didn’t know much about his time in captivity. He said they told him he’d been sold to a man from overseas and that he was being held until the man could make arrangements to come get him, but that was all he’d told me.
Still, he had to be one of the strongest people I’d ever met to have made it that long, especially since he didn’t know if anyone was even looking for him.
After less than a day down there, I was feeling anxious and jumpy as hell, and I’d known Gator would come for me.
I couldn’t imagine what all those other people had gone through.
We pulled up in the parking garage, and he looked at me. “This is where you live?”
“Yep. Come on. Let’s go get that key and get you settled.”
He looked like he was less sure than he had been when we’d made the offer, but I got that. From the outside, you wouldn’t think it was a nice place to live. He would see once we got inside, though.
We entered the elevator, and Gator pushed the button for the eighth floor. “We’ll have to stop in here to get the key from Caden, and then we’ll head on up.”
When we stepped off, I saw him looking around at the setup. “Wow. This is an impressive operation.”
“We’re getting there,” Gator said proudly. “We started out small, doing basic events and personal security, but it’s grown quickly.”
Kat could have gotten Noah his key, but according to Gator, Caden always stayed here when Wolfe went out on a job, so there would be someone here to handle it if things went south.
He greeted us with a smile and handed us a keycard. Then he ran through the same spiel with Noah he’d gone through with me about how the card wouldn’t work on the tenth floor and how to use the elevator.
“Thanks, Caden. You know the mission’s over, the guys are just wrapping things up. You can go home now,” Gator said.
Caden looked down at his feet and gave a little nod. “I know. I just have a few things to do first, and then I’ll go.”
“Okay, don’t stay too long.”
When we were far enough away that he couldn’t hear me, I grinned at Noah. “He has a crush on Wolfe, so he probably won’t leave until he’s back.”
“You don’t know that, mon petit. That’s all some fantasy you and Mika came up with.”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Trust me, Mika and I know what we see.”
“Which one is Wolfe?”
“The one with big silver fox vibes, wears glasses, and always seems to be in charge.”
“Oh, I remember him. He was the one who came down the stairs and started barking out orders.”
“Yep. He’s a good guy, though, and Mika’s been around longer than I have, and he’s sure of the crush.”
When we got off the elevator on the ninth floor, Mika was sitting on the couch crocheting. When he saw us, he tossed the project aside and rushed me, wrapping me in a hug.
“Jules, I was so worried about you. I mean, I knew the guys would find you, but still, I was worried. Then, when Hawk called to tell me you were on your way, I thought I would wait down here.” He turned to look at Noah.
“I’m glad to see you, too, but I didn’t want to hug you because I didn’t know if you were a hugger.
I am, but I know not everyone is. Anyway, I’m glad you’re here.
I put some clothes on the couch in your apartment, and it’s all stocked up with food, but don’t worry, I didn’t keep a key or anything.
Caden just let me use yours real quick so I could put everything in there, and then I gave it back. Anyway, welcome to the building.”
I swear he’d said that all with one breath, and that was a lot, even for Mika.
“Thank you for lending me some clothes. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem at all. Now, how about I show you your apartment and these two can go on their way?”
I paused and looked at Noah. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather come with us? Or we could get someone to stay with you if you want.”
“No, I’m good. Like I said, I just want doors that lock, a hot shower, a real bed, and some time to process the fact that I’m safe.”
“You are,” Gator assured him. “And we’re all just a call away if you need us.”
I watched as Mika led him towards the apartment, asking him questions about what snacks he preferred and what kind of books he liked to read.
“I hope he’ll be okay,” I said.
“He’d probably spent a fair amount of time adjusting mentally to the fact that he was trapped, and now he’ll need some time for the idea that he is free to sink in.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I hope so.”